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Question:

Which particle in an atom is responsible for a materials magnetic properties?

And what are two ways in which magnets can be changed?

Answer:

The electrons are responsible for the magnetism. The number of electrons is critical and that number depends on the number of protons in the nucleus. So you could say that the protons decide the magnetism. Changing magnetism? How? Heat the magnet up so that the electron structure is altered by infra red photons and the magnetism will disappear. Is that the sort of answer you want? Hit the magnet repeatedly with a hammer will also ( slowly ) disrupt the long range organisation of domains that magnets require. Is that enough? I can't think of any others that aren't just silly ( like dissolve the magnet in strong nitric acid or something equally daft.)

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